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U.S. Army Riot Control Techniques Operations (1965)

1965 · Short film · 13 min

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Synopsis

Filmed five years before the shootings of unarmed students at Kent State University by members of the Ohio National Guard, this 1965 black and white film is TF19 3545, a US Army training video about riot control techniques. The demonstration was filmed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, by the 716th Military Police Battalion. A uniformed MP approaches the camera head-on with a rifle with a bayonet attached (:30-:50). A group of civilians runs down a street. The mob stops and displays angry gestures (:51-1:14). MP soldiers rapidly approach in a single line, holding their rifles with bayonets pointed upward. The three types of formations are shown: the wedge (1:34), echelon (2:01), and line (2:13). Another a maneuver involves military personnel suddenly breaking formation to capture a mob leader (2:24). A flank formation is demonstrated (2:45-3:00). Vehicles are incorporated into the line. The solders also wear gas masks (3:01-4:00). Guns and batons are shown (4:02), as are canisters to bomb, bug, and counterstrike (4:14), a M25A grenade (4:21), a CS1 agent (4:25), and an inert container (4:26). A portable dispersal unit is shown (4:45). An electronic listening post is used to relay the slightest sound, in addition to standard radio gear (4:55-5:05). An Army jeep has a mounted riot control agent disperser. It also has a wooden frame with barbed wire attached to the front bumper (5:06-5:42). Military photos show MPs in formations (5:43-6:12). A high-pressure hose can be used for riot…

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Details

Running time
13 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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